Pressure actuated transmission control unit



Feb. 12, 1952 R. D. FAGE OL PRESSURE ACTUATED TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed April 12, 1949 INVENTOR. ROBLEY D. FAGEOL Patented Feb. 12, 1 952 PRESSURE AGTUATED TRANSMISSION- I QONIBOL UNI? Robley D. Fageol; Detroit, Mich., assignor to R. D; Fageol Company ration of 'Michi n Detroit, Mich, a; coma Apmi ti ns m s, 1949, Serial No. 87,000

9.Claims. (Cl. 121-41} This invention relates to remote controlled power units and has particular reference to -such a power unit which is constructed and 'arranged" for shifting a marine transmission into and out of gear, although it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited; to the specific application illustrated. This invention contemplates a remote controlled power unit for performing work, such'for example as shifting the gears of a marine transmission into and out of their forward, neutral, and reverse positions, and for which there is provided an operator-manipulated control remotely positioned relative to the power unit and forming a means for controlling the energization thereof, the work required to be done by the operator in manipulating such control being merely that of shifting the control and not related to the amount of work done by the control unit. In addition, the power unit is constructed and arranged so that the length of the work stroke thereof may be accurately controlled by the operator.

Principal objects of the invention, therefore, are to provide:

A new and improved remote controlled power unit;

A remote controlled power unit in which the work stroke thereof may be accurately controlled by the operator; and A A remote controlled power unit in which the manual control may be set to a selected position without bein limited by the speed of the work stroke.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and will be understood by reference tothe accompanying drawings, of which there are two sheets; which by way of illustration show preferred embodiments and the principles thereof and What I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying those principles. Other embodiments of theinvention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without do.- parting from the present invention and the. pur.- view of the appended claims..

In the drawings: 1

Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating. the application of a device embodying my invention to a marine craft for operating the reverse gear thereof;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view ofthe power'unit; r i.

3 an larged tl n l v w o he b eed valve arrangement illustrated in Fig. 2; Fig. 4' is a sectional view taken along the line M Qf 3:.

Fig, 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and illustrating a modified form of bleed valve arrangement;

and I 6 s an la ed v empart y b oken aw y. of the operator-manipulated control for the power unit. r

As illustrated in Fig. '1, a device embodying the invention there illustrated in connection with a boat It] having an internal combustion engine l2- and a transmission l4 commonly called a reverse gear. A drive or propeller shaft It is adapted to be driven by the engine I: through the transmission l4; and-a propeller (not shown) is connected to the shaft I Gfor propelling the craft either forwardly or reversely. The transmission is provided with a shift lever 53 which may-have the'usu a l three'pos itions, namely; for-- ward, neutral and reverse, the shift lever illbeing' shown in the reverse position. In the reverse position of; the transmission It the transmission isarranged so that when the engine is operate ing, the craft will be propelled-rearwardly. In

the neutral positionof the shift lever l8 the gearing-of the transmission is arranged so that the engine may run without propelling the'craft in either direction, and in the forward position of the transmission-the gearing is arranged'so that when the engine is operating, th craft uz' propelledforwardly.

The-power unit embodying my invention is indicated generally at Zlland comprises a ylinderand piston unit-in which the piston thereof is connected-to the-shift leverl8 forshiftingthe same between its various positions,' A suction conduit 22- communicates atone end with the induction manifold 24 0f the'engine l2 and at its other end-with thepower unit 29 so that suction in the manifold may be utilized to energize the power unit 20.

The operator-manipulated control indicated generallyat 26-maybe positioned adjacentthe steeringwheel 28 of the craft, and a positive two Way motion transmitting connection indicated generally at 30 connects the control fifi'with the power unit 20 for controllin the energizaticn thereof, more particularly for controlling the application of suction to the cylinder unit on either side of the piston thereof. r

Referring now particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the powerunit comprises a cylinder 3-2 and-piston member 34 arranged in the-cylinder for recipforms part of a connection between thepi'ston'- member 34 and the shift lever I8 of the trans-- mission. A hollow valve member AO is telescopically arranged relative to, the" piston rod 36 a and is reciprocable relative to the piston member 34 and projects through of the cylinder.

The hollow valve member 46 forms a fluid,

flow passage between chamber 44 and the interior of the cylinder 32, andto this end is provided with one or' more port'slf46 which communicate with the chamber 44'-a'nd one or more ports 48 which are adapted to be broughtinto communication with the cylinder 32"o riv either a side of the piston member 134.; As. shown in Fig. 2, however, the ports 48 are closed by a valve closure member 50. The chamber 44 may be formed as illustrated by. a tubular, projection 52 formed integrally 'with' the end wall 42 of the cylinder 32. The valve member 40 projects through a seal 54 arranged in a recess in the wall 42 and separates the cylinder 32 from the chamber 44. The right-hand end of the valve is connected by means of a two-part clamping ring 56 with a cable 58 which extends through a tube 60, the cable 58 and tube 60 forming the positive two-way connection, between the valve member 40 ofthe power unit and the control 26. One end of the tubing is secured by a nut 62 Y to a threaded boss on a cap64 which is threadedly secured to the end of the projection 52 The cable 58 extends freely through the tube 60 and is connected to the valve member 40. bythe clamping member 56 so that movement of the cable 58 will effect a corresponding movementv of the valve member 40. The cap 64 by engage- 4 ment with the clamping member 56 determines; one limit position of the valve, 40, and engagement of the clamp 56 with the shoulder 66 determines the other limit position of the valve 4Il. A seal 68 carried by the clamping member 56 cooperates with the interior of the projection 52 so as to prevent the leakage of air-into the chamber 44, while the seal 54 forms a seal which prevents leakage between the cylinder 32 and the chamber 44. A A conduit I0 connected to the projection, 52 forms the suction communication 22 between' the chamber 44 and the intake manifold 2450 that the manifold pressure will prevail inithe chamber 44. The chamber 44 is that part of the projection 52 between the seals 54 and 68. Since the port 46 in the valve 40 is always exposed to the chamber 44, the interior passage in the valve. 40 will always be subject to the suction pressures in the manifold.

The valve closure member 50 is movable with the piston member 34relative to the end wall 42 carried by and 4 at least as great as the stroke of the piston member 34 relative to the cylinder 32. The valve closure member is secured in a recess in a nut 12 by a ring I4. The valve closure member 50, however, is free to shift transversely of the recess so as to facilitate alignment between the, hole I 6 therethrough and the valve member which projects through; such hole. An annular sealing ring 5| is arranged between the left-hand side of the valve closure member 50 and the bottom of the recess in the nut I2. There is-a close sliding fit between the valve member 40 and the valve closure member 50 so that when such parts are positioned relative tocach other as shown in Fig. 2', the member 50 will:' close the ports 48 in the valve member 40 which willprevent the porting of suction to the cylinder 32 on either side of the piston 34. The nut I2 is threadedly secured to one end of the piston rod 36 and clamps the same to the piston member 34. p

The piston rod 36 is hollow and forms a passage 80 which communicates with the cylinder 32 on one side of the piston member 34 through ports 82. stricted bleed through the wall 42 between the cylinder 32 and atmosphere, a filter 86 being provided to prevent the entry of dirt into the cylinder 32 through the bleed 64.

With the parts arranged as shown in Fig. 2 movement of the valve member 40 to the left relative to the valve closure member 50 will expose the ports 48 to the passage 80, thereby porting the side A of cylinder 32 through ports 82 to suction (assuming the engine I2 is operating), whereupon the piston 34 will move toward the left and until the valve closure member 50 again closes the ports 48, the bleed 84 at this time bleeding atmosphere into the side B of the cylinder. The speed of movement of the piston 34 will depend upon the pressure differential between sides A and B of the cylinder which will be determined to some extent by the sizeof the orifice 84. g

If we assume that the piston member 40 moves to its left-hand limit position, the piston member 34 will follow and move to the position shown in dotted lines, which will efiect a shifting of the transmission from reverse through neutral into forward gear.

A seal 90 arranged in a recess in the wall 38 forms a seal between the opening in the wall 38 through which the rod 36 extends and the piston rod. Exteriorly of the cylinder 32 the piston rod *has mounted thereon a valve 92 which comprises bushing 94 and body part 96 which cooperate to form chambers C and D (Fig. 3). Chamber- D communicates with atmosphere through orifice 98 and filter I00. Valve member I02 is slidably arranged in the valve body 96 and forms a'partition between chambers C and D. However,

the valve member I02 and the body part 96 biases the hollow valve member 40 and cooperates with L the hollow valve member to close the ports 485 therein. The hollow valve member 40 is shiftable relative to the piston member 34 and mov:

able between limit positions spaced vav distance;

: .-that when the valve member I02 is'seated, there A restricted orifice 84 forms a reis a restricted communication betweenthechambers C and D and the passagetifi interiorly of the power piston rod 36. This forms a restricted communicati n between. the atmosphere and chamber A of the cylinder; 32' through passage 89. and port 82. The size of the restricted communication afforded by the duct H2 is not-sufficient to preventthe porting of suctionto the. chamber A to move the piston, member 34. to its. forward 7 gear position.

y The valve member 102 is mounted on a. stem H4 which is connected to a. yoke H6, which in turn is connected to shift lever lSby bolt Ifilh Asshown in Fig. 2, the valve member Hi2. isseat ed on the valve seat lot on the end of the piston rod 3,6 so that when the valve 49 is movedto port chamber A of cylinder 32 to suction, the pise ton 34 will through piston rod 3t, valve I62, stem IM and yoke H6 positively move the lever I8 through the neutral to the forward gear position thereof, and the speed of movement as previously explained will be determined by the pressure difi-erential existing between the chambers A and B.

If the valve so is moved to its leftmost position, the piston 3 3 will move to the dotted line position, and as previously indicated, the valve 010- sure 50 will close the ports as in the valve to so as to discontinue the porting of suction to the chamber A which now comprises a very small clearance between the end wall 38 and the piston 34 in the dotted line position thereof. With the piston 3 in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, movement of the valve it to the right Will port the chamber B of the cylinder to suction,

which will cause the piston 34 to move to the right. The size of the bleed 8!; is not such as to prevent the suction applied to the chamber B from moving the piston member 34. to the right;

Upon movement of the piston 34 to the right, the valve seat I86 will move awayjrom the face I08 of the valve member I02, thereby providing a relatively unrestricted communication between atmosphere and the chamber A through slots I04, chamber C; passage 89', and ports 02. This. porting of the chamberA to atmosphere will re.-: sult in a relatively quick movement of the piston member 34 to the right. Since the valve llitcan only move a short distance relative to the body. 96, the body 95 will by reacting through the spring I l0 cause the valve I02 to follow the pistonv I rod 36, thereby to shift the lever I8. of the transmission from its forward to its neutral or reverse position, depending upon the extent of movement of the valve 40. If the valve to is moved'so that, the ports 48 thereof are approximatelymidwam between the ends of the cylinder 32, the shift.

lever will be shifted toits neutral position, andif the ports =38 are returned to their position as illustrated in Fig. 2, the shift lever l8 will be restored to its reverse position.

The spring IIO will cause the-face I es of the valve member I02 to seat on the seat lilli after. the piston 34 stops moving, and when the piston 34 stops moving toward the right the valve mem the port to,

ber 50 will be in position to close as shown in Fig. 2,

The control 26 includes a lever I24 which is:

connected to a rotary disk or cylinder I26 which is rotatably mounted in casing I28. 60 is secured to thecasing, and the cao1e 5;8.

projects from the end of the tube into the casingand is coiled partly around the disk I26, andsuitably secured thereto. The casing I28 is provided with'legends, to indicate the reverse, neutral andgs The tube neutral position indicated by the letter N,.the

cable 58 will transmit sufiicient motionto the valve member 40 to position the; ports 48. approximately midway between the cylinder end walls 38 and, 42, whereupon if the torque on the gearing of the transmission has been released byclosing of the engine throttle, the piston member 34 will beenergized to shift the transmission. from reverse to neutral position. .Movement. of the lever I24-to the forward position indicated: by the legend F will shift the valvedfl so as to cause the piston member 34 to move sufiicient toshift the leverIB to the forward position of the transmission.

The cab1e58 provides a positive two-way: con-e nection between the; lever I24 and the. valve member 40 so that the valve member 402 will move with movement, of the lever I24. There is no force opposing the movement of the lever I25 except the friction of the disk I20, the cable 58 and the valve'40 so that very little efiort is required to shift the lever I24 between the varieous positions thereof. The valve member 40 may be moved to any of its positions without waiting for movement of the piston member 34. Thispermits thevalve 40 to move ahead ofthe piston 3 and makes it possible for the operator of-the craft by manipulating the lever I-24 to shift the transmission into and out of forward and re verse gear very expeditiously when it is'desired to maneuver the craft in close quarters.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 there is shown a valve I92 which is adapted when open to provide a relatively unrestricted com munication between atmosphere and either chamber A or B. When using this valve I92 in lieu of the valve shown in Fig. 3, the bleed omitted. The piston rod 236, corresponding function with the piston rod 36, has a valve member 202 threadedly secured to the end thereof for movement therewith. The valve member 202 is reciprocally arranged in its cylin der formed by valve housing 203. Valve meme her 202 is provided witha restricted duct-205 which affords a restricted communication between atmospheric port 2 0 6 and valve chamber E.

Valve member 202 is also provided with'ai restricted duct 201 which provides a restricted communication between atmospheric port 206 and'valve chamber F. Chamber F is in com-* munication through conduit 209- with chamber B of cylinder 32 eliminating the needfor a bleed 84. A spring 2m is confinedbetween valve mem-- her 202 and one end or the body of the valve I 92;]

and another spring 2H is confined betweenthe valve 2G2 and the other end of the valve body 203, the springs 2H3 and-2H centering the'valve zezrelative to the atmospheric port 206 so that" both chambers E. and F are in communication with atmosphere through the respective ducts 205 and 201. Chamber E, of course, is in comrnunicati'onthrough passage 00' withschamber A.

of cylinder '32. In this'case the valve body 2513 is provided with'stem ZIA which is connected to. the yoke H6, the piston rod 236'being connected to the piston 34 and otherwise the same as the" piston rod 38.

When the piston rod 236 moves to the left in response to leftward movement of the piston 34,- the valve 202 will move to the left so that atmospheric port 206 communicates directly with chamber F, thereby porting atmosphere through conduit 209 to chamber B of cylinder 32. Likewise, when piston rod 236 moves to the right in response to movement of the piston 34, the atmospheric port 206 is placed directly in communication with chamber E which is in communication through passage 80 with chamber A of cylinder 32, thereby porting chamber A directly to atmosphere. With this arrangement the piston 34 can move relatively quickly in both directions since the atmospheric porting will offer no appreciable resistance to movement of the piston 34. The ducts 205 and 201 are restricted so that they will not prevent the porting of suction to the chambers A and B from effecting movement of the piston 34,

The operation of the modification as shown in Fig. is the same as that shown in the previous figures, except that in the case of Fig. 5 relatively quick movement of the piston will be obtained in both directions, whereas in the case ofthe other figures relatively quick movement will be obtained when the shift is made from forward to reverse but not vice versa.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 74,050, filed February 2, 1949, for Pressure Actuated Transmission Control Unit, in which application certain subject matter disclosed herein is specifically claimed.

While I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention, it is understood that these are capable of modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A power unit comprising a cylinder, a piston member reciprocally arranged in said cylinder and separating the space in said cylinder on one side of said piston member from the space on the other side thereof, a hollow piston rod secured to said piston member and projecting through an end wall of said cylinder, a hollow valve member telescopically arranged relative to said piston rod and projecting through the opposite end wall of said cylinder, said hollow valve member forming a fluid flow passage, said passage being provided with a fluid port on the end of the valve member disposed within said cylinder and said passage having a fluid pressure connection thereto exterior-1y of said cylinder, a valve closure member carried by and movable with said piston member relative to said hollow valve member and cooperable with said hollow valve member to close said port therein, said hollow valve member being freely shiftable in both directions relative to said valve closure.

memberso as to uncover said port on either side of said valve closure member and said piston member thereby to establish communication between said cylinder and said passage on a selected side of said piston member, said hollow valve member being movable relative to said piston member a distance at least as great as the stroke of said piston member relative to said cylinder, the end of saidhollow piston rod remote-from said cylinder forming part of a normally" closed valve means constructed and arrangedto beropened during movement of said hollow piston rod toward one end of said cylinder for admitting fluid into said cylinder on the side of said piston member remote from said one end of said cylinder.

2. A power unit comprising a cylinder, a piston member reciprocally arranged in said cylinder and including a hollow piston rod projecting through one end wall of said cylinder, a hollow valve member reciprocally arranged relative to said piston rod, said hollow valve member having substantially the same extent of movement relative to said piston member as said piston member has relative to said cylinder, said hollow valve member forming a fluid flow passage, said passage being provided with a fluid port on one end thereof and said passage having a suction connection thereto at the other end thereof, a valve closure member carried by and movable with said piston member relative to said hollow valve member and cooperable with said hollow valve member to close said port therein, said hollow valve member being freely shiftable in one direction relative to said valve closure member so as to uncover said port on one side of said valve closure member and said piston member thereby to establish communication between said cylinder and said passage on said one side of said piston member, means operable for shifting said hollow valve member relative to said piston member and valve closure member so as to effect the application of suction to said cylinder on said one side of said piston member whereby said piston member and rod will move relative to said cylinder toward said port, and normally closed valve means associated with the end of said piston rod remote from said cylinder and constructed and arranged to open during movement of said piston member and rod in said one direction for admitting atmosphere into said cylinder on the opposite side of said piston memher.

3. A power unit comprising a cylinder, a piston member arranged in said cylinder for reciprocal movement relative thereto between limit positions at each end of said cylinder, a piston rod secured to said piston member and projecting through an end wallof said cylinder, a hollow valve member reciprocally arranged relative to said piston member and projecting through the opposite end wall of said cylinder, said hollow valve member forming a fluid flow passage, said passage being provided with a fluid port on the end of the valve member disposed within said cylinder and said passage having a suction connection thereto exteriorly of said cylinder, a valve closure member carried by and movable with said piston member relative to said hollow valve member and cooperable with said hollow valve member to close said port therein, said hollow valve member being shiftable relative to said piston member between limit positions spaced a distance at least as great as the stroke of said piston member, means operable for selectively positioning said hollow valve member in either of its limit positions or in any position intermediate its limit positions, postioning of said port of said hollow valve member on one side of said valve closure member uncovering said port and thereby applying suction to said cylinder on said one side of said piston member whereby said piston member and rod will move relative to said cylinder toward said port, said piston member and hollow valve member being constructed and arranged so as to be freely movable relative to each other so as to permit free moyement of said hollow valve member by said positioning means artiste piston rod and constructed and arranged to "be opened upon movement of said piston rod for admitting air into said cylinder on the other side of said piston member.

4. A power unit comprising a cylinder member, a piston member arranged in said cylinder member for reciprocal movementrelativethereto, a hollow piston rod secured to saidfpiston memher, a hollow tubular valve member reciprocally arranged relative to said piston member and te'le} scopically arranged within said piston rod "21 provided with a fluid port, a fluid pressure onnection. with the interior of said valve member, said hollow piston rod forming a'fluid fiowpaa sage and having a fluid port therein in communication with said cylinder on one side of said piston member, an annular valve closure member through which said hollow valve member extends, and carried by and movable with said piston member and piston rod relative to said hollow valve member and cooperable with said hollow valve member to close said port therein, means operable for shifting said hollow valve member relative to said valve closure member, positioning of said port of said hollow valve member on one side of said valve closure member uncovering said port and thereby causing the application of fluid pressure to said cylinder member on one side of said piston member-whereby said piston member and rod will move relative to said cylinder member, and normally closed valve means associated with the end of said piston rod remote from said cylinder, said valve means comprising a valve member biased into engagement with said end of said piston rod so as to close said fluid flow passage therein, said piston rod being movable relative to said valve member in one direction of movement of said piston rod for opening said normally closed valve means for admitting pressure fluid to said cylinder member on the other side of said piston member through said piston rod and said fluid port therein.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said piston member and hollow valve member are constructed and arranged so as to be freely movable relative to each other so as to permit free movement of said hollow valve member by said shifting means from one of its limit positions to the other without thereby moving saidpiston memher.

6. A power unit comprising a cylinder having a piston member arranged therein for reciprocal movement relative thereto between limit positions at each end of said cylinder, a hollow piston rod secured to said piston member, a hollow valve member reciprocally arranged relative to said piston member and being provided with a fluid port, a suction connection with the interior of said hollow valve member, an annular valve closure member through which said hollow valve member extends, carried by and movable with said piston rod relative to said hollow valve member and cooperable with said hollow valve member to close said port therein, said hollow valve member being shiftable relative to said piston member between limit positions spaced a distance at least as great as the stroke of said piston member, means operable for selectively positioning said hollow valve member in either of its limit positions or in any position intermediate its limit positions, positioning of said port in said hollow valve member on either side of said I 1c" valve closure member thereby eporting suction to said cylinder on a selected side of said piston member whereby said piston member will move relative to said cylinder toward said port until said valve closure member closessaid port, said piston member-and hollow valve member being constructed and arranged so as tobe freely movable relative toeach other so as to permitfree movement of said hollow valve memberby said positioning means-from oneof its limit positions to the-other without thereby moving said piston member, said hollow pistonrod havinga lost motion connection with ameans to -be actuated by said power unit in one direction of,movement of said piston rod, said lost. motion connection including a normally closed valve means constructed and arranged to be opened for admitting atmosphere to one end of said cylinder during movement of said piston rod in said one direction.

7. A power unit comprising a cylinder having a piston member reciprocally arranged therein and separating the-space in said cylinder on one side of said piston member from the space on the other side thereof, a hollow piston rod secured to said piston member and projecting through an end wall of said cylinder, a hollow valve member telescopically arranged relative to said piston rod and projecting through the opposite end wall of said cylinder, said hollow valve member forming a fluid flow passage, said passage being provided with a fluid port on the end of the valve member disposed within said cylinder and said passage having a suction connection thereto exteriorly of said cylinder, an annular valve closure member through which said hollow valve member extends, carried by and movable with said piston member relative to said hollow valve member and cooperable with said hollow valve member to close said port therein, said hollow valve member being shiftable in one direction relative to said valve closure member so as to uncover said port on one side of said valve closure member and said piston member thereby to establish communication between said cylinder and said passage on said side of said piston member whereby said piston member will move in said one direction relative to said cylinder, said unit having normally closed valve means including a restricted atmospheric bleed port communicating with the interior of said hollow piston rod at the end thereof remote from said cylinder, said hollow piston rod communicating with said cylinder on the other side of said piston member, said valve means being constructed and arranged to be opened during movement of said piston rod and member in said one direction so as to provide a relatively unrestricted by-pass around said bleed port.

8. A device according to claim '7 wherein said bleed port restricts the communication between atmosphere and said cylinder when said valve is closed wherein said valve means provides a part of the connection between said piston rod and a means to be actuated by said power unit.

9. A power unit comprising a cylinder, a piston member reciprocally arranged in said cylinder, a piston rod secured to said piston member, a valve member reciprocally arranged relative to said piston member, said valve member being movable relative to said piston member to substantially the same extent as said piston member is movable relative to said cylinder, said valve member including a fluid port in communication with a source of suction, a valve closure member uncovering said port and movable with said piston member relative to said valve member and cooperable with said valve member to close said port therein, said valve member being shiftable relative to said valve closure member so as to uncover said port on one side of said valve closure member and said piston member thereby to establish communication between said cylinder and said source of suction on one side of said piston member, means operable for shifting said valve member relative to said piston member and valve closure member so as to eifect the application of suction to said cylinder on said one side of said piston member, said piston rod in one direction of movement thereof having a lost motion connection with a means to be actuated by said power unit, said lost motion connection including a normally closed valve 12 constructed and arranged to be opened for admitting atmosphere to said cylinder on the opposite side of said piston member upon relative movement between said piston rod and said 5 means to be actuated.

ROBLEY D. FAGEOL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

- UNITED STATES PATENTS 

